Mario Kart World's producer has revealed the game was initially developed for the original Nintendo Switch. Learn how the project evolved and the adjustments made when development shifted to the Nintendo Switch 2.
Insights from the Mario Kart World Developers
Prototyping Started in 2017
Mario Kart World, the new kart racing title launching with the Nintendo Switch 2, began development in 2017 while the team was still working on Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
In a recent Nintendo Ask the Developer interview on May 21, the Mario Kart World team shared the game's origin story. Producer Kosuke Yabuki explained that after creating a prototype in March 2017, full-scale development started by the end of that year. He noted that after perfecting the series' formula in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, the team aspired to create something much larger in scope.
Yabuki also addressed why the next installment isn't called Mario Kart 9, as many fans anticipated. The team's vision extended beyond simply adding more tracks; they aimed to elevate the series to new heights, prompting the decision for a fresh title. "We had already incorporated 'MARIO KART WORLD' into concept art from the early development stages," he stated.
Transitioning to Switch 2
Programming Director Kenta Sato shared that Yabuki first considered transitioning to Switch 2 in 2020. Although the team had an idea of the next-gen console's capabilities, they didn't receive actual development kits until later. "Until then, we proceeded with provisional estimates," he explained.
The team aimed to ensure their vision aligned with the hardware's capabilities. Sato elaborated, "While the original Switch handles various games well, including all the features we planned for this expansive world would have resulted in unstable framerates, dropping below 60 fps."
Once the team understood the Switch 2's concrete specifications, their concerns vanished, and confidence grew in realizing their vision. "I was thrilled to discover we could express even more than we initially planned," Sato recalled.
However, targeting the Switch 2 required higher-quality assets. Art Director Masaaki Ishikawa mentioned that graphics needed greater detail. Rather than feeling daunted, the art team welcomed the opportunity to enhance their work.
Moving to Switch 2 provided more creative freedom, allowing for richer environments, denser foliage, and other graphical improvements previously limited by hardware constraints.
Cow Joins as a Playable Character
Series fans were excited to see Cow as a playable character for the first time in the game's trailer. Previously, Cow appeared only as a background element or an obstacle.
Ishikawa explained that each new Mario Kart game introduces a new racer. "One designer shared a fun sketch of Cow driving a kart, and I immediately thought, 'This is it!' (Laughs). That's when we realized the game's environments held many untapped possibilities," he revealed. Ishikawa was surprised how naturally Cow fit into the roster, opening doors for future non-playable characters to join the races, enhancing the interconnected world concept.
Beyond adding NPCs as racers, the developers meticulously crafted various game elements to build a cohesive, interconnected world. Diverse food elements contribute to the world's richness, while karts were adapted for different terrains, and tracks underwent continuous refinement.
With these updates and new information, fans are eagerly awaiting Mario's return in this expansive racing adventure. Nintendo is positioning the Switch 2 for a strong launch, featuring one of its most popular franchises on day one.
Mario Kart World launches exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5, 2025. For the latest news and updates, be sure to check our related article below.
